17th April 2009 2.00pm

Maidstone United U18 captain Rob Carter is in line to gain his third England Schoolboys cap on Friday evening as England travel to St Mirren to face the Auld Enemy. This fixture is part of the Centenary Shield competition and to date England have won one game (vs Wales 3-0) and lost one game (vs Northern Ireland 0-1). Rob Carter has played the full 90 minutes in each game.

Stones fans who want to watch Rob in action on Friday evening do not have to travel to Scotland to do so though as the entire game is being televised live on Sky Sports 2 at 7.30pm.

5th April 2009. 10.00pm

Stones chairman Paul Bowden-Brown has responded to supporters' comments about his column in this week's matchday programme.

"It would seem that my comments within the programme last week regarding the sponsored walk money have upset a number of faithful supporters.

"So to draw a line under this matter once and for all, I unreservedly apologise if my comments caused annoyance to anyone.

"It is not my right as chairman to expect any monies that are raised by individuals’ activities to be given towards the running of this club, and should the decision be made by those involved for it to go to the ground appeal, so be it, that is their personal right.

"Any money that is offered to the club, other than the ground appeal, will always be greatly appreciated at any time. I would like to personally thank Angela and the Supporters’ Club for the monies recently donated to the club. It was very much appreciated and I personally do appreciate the effort and sacrifices that it takes to raise this amount of monies."

3rd April 2009. 8.15pm

On Tuesday (31 March), Margate FC contacted Maidstone United at 4.20pm to say they had acquired the Isthmian League Player Registration of Stones captain Ben Lewis. This was just 40 minutes before the closure of the transfer and registration deadline of 5pm for season 2008/2009.

It further transpired that Margate FC had directly approached Ben Lewis and had agreed a financial package with him that was far in excess of his wages with Maidstone United FC.

Maidstone United informed Margate FC that they believed that an illegal approach had been made to the player and that they had not made a formal seven day notice of approach as per Football Association rules. As a result of the timing of Margate FC's actions, Ben Lewis (under advice from the PFA) was unable to take his place in the Maidstone United team for the fixture with AFC Hornchurch that evening.

Margate FC lodged a request with the Board of Directors of the Isthmian Football League to rule in their favour and to allow the transfer of registration to stand. On the following morning, following a discussion of Maidstone United FC's senior officials and club management, it was decided to cancel the playing registration of Ben Lewis.

At the subsequent Emergency Committee Meeting of the Board of the Isthmian League which was held on Thursday 2 April 2009, it was determined that the transfer of the playing registration of Ben Lewis to Margate FC would not be allowed in accordance with League Rule 6.5

Maidstone United FC would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Ben Lewis for his commitment to the club over the last two seasons and his inspirational captaincy and leadership.